Youths want yearly interface with President

Cletus Mushanawani News Editor
ZANU-PF youths will every year come up with a programme where they will have an interface with President Mugabe.

This was announced by national secretary for youth affairs, Cde Kudzai Chipanga during a preparatory meeting held at Mutare Polytechnic recently. President Mugabe will be meeting youths in Mutare today in a meeting dubbed the mother of all provincial interface meetings.

The Mutare meeting will be graced by the Governor of Manica Province in Mozambique, Cde Alberto Mondlane and a delegation from the ruling Frelimo party. “Last year we had a successful million-man march and this year we are having the provincial interface meetings with our iconic leader, President Mugabe. Next year we will come up with something because as the youths we should lead in mobilising votes for President Mugabe. We are the majority and this should be shown by the number of youths who will vote for President Mugabe,” said Cde Chipanga.

He said leaders from other wings should not interfere with the affairs of the youths as some of them were trying to use youths for their selfish political ambitions. “As our leaders you should advise us and not give us instructions. We are a properly constituted wing and not an affiliate. Youths should be allowed to run their affairs and programmes without any interference. “We know that there are some challenges in Manicaland, but we should be all united and pull in the same direction. You should not use our meetings to settle political scores,” he said.

The scheduled visit by President Mugabe to Mutare’s Dangamvura suburb today has seen an unprecedented major facelift of roads in the area with council workers working around the clock to complete the job

Speaking at the same occasion, youth provincial chairman, Cde Mubuso Chinguno, said the province was ready to welcome President Mugabe. “We have done our homework so well and it is all systems go. Various sub-committees are already in place and come Friday we will show the world that Manicaland is the best when it comes to mobilisation of the masses. We are working with all stakeholders and the response we are getting from everyone involved is very encouraging,” he said.

Secretary for administration, Cde Victor Saunyama, who is also chairing the venue and entertainment committee, said they were working with Minister of Information, Communication and Technology and Courier Services, Cde Supa Mandiwanzira in bringing some of the celebrated musicians in Zimbabwe to perform at the event. “Cde Mandiwanzira availed three tents to accommodate the dignitaries. Since we are expecting youths to come out in their thousands for the meeting, we have invited a number of musicians to provide entertainment. Cde Mandiwanzira has also been helpful in our quest to invite the best musicians.

“We are anticipating an overspill from the main venue, Sakubva Stadium so the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has promised us giant screens that will be beaming live all proceedings for the benefit of those who will fail to find seats in the stadium,” he said.

A number of donations and pledges were made during the meeting with Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Chris Mushohwe donating 1640 litres of fuel and a beast; Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Cde Patrick Chinamasa 5 000litres of fuel; Minister of Energy and Power Development, Dr Samuel Undenge pledged to fuel eight buses, one from each Zanu-PF administration districts.

Other delegates pledged beasts and transport. Meanwhile, President Mugabe is expected to open an Information Communication Centre at Dangamvura Post Office during his visit to Mutare.